Sunday, September 2, 2012

Twelfth Annual Antique Autos at History Park in San José, Sunday, September 9, Noon to 5 PM

San José, California – July 17, 2012---Everyone loves a good road trip and with the popularity of ‘stay’cations, the Twelfth Annual Antique Autos in History Park, Sunday, September 9, noon to 5 PM, will highlight the proverbial roadtrip.

“Antique Autos is one of the most anticipated end-of-summer events at History Park,” said Alida Bray, President and CEO of History San José. “The park comes alive with people, activities…sort of like a little Sunday afternoon vacation.”

Featured this year are two presentations by Roger Allison, whose 1903 Winton was used in Ken Burns film Horatio’s Drive. The PBS special documents ‘America’s first road trip,’ the 1903 trans-continental drive by Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson, his co-driver/mechanic Sewall K. Crocker and their bulldog named Bud. In their 20-horsepower Winton, with few paved roads and no gas stations or road maps, Horatio’s drive was the trip that proved the automobile was here to stay. Allison’s presentations will be at 1 PM and 2 PM in the conference room of the Pacific Hotel.

The featured vehicles this year are 1- and 2-cylinder antique autos. By popular request, a team of Model T club members will attempt to break their previous record of assembling a Model T in eight minutes and six seconds.

Presented by the Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club and History San José, the Twelfth Annual Antique Autos in History Park event will fill History Park at Kelley Park in San José with more than 200 antique autos. On Sunday, September 9, hear the ‘putt, putt’of an antique car engine, fire equipment, bicycles and motorcycles of all makes, while strolling through the idyllic setting of History Park.

“Antique Autos in History Park is much more than an antique car show,” said Allan Greenberg, coordinator of the event. “We attempt to combine the best of all things automotive, with cars, culture, entertainment and education in the beautiful setting of History Park.”

Also located on the grounds of History Park will be the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association to provide more ‘putt, putt, putt’ engine sounds reminiscent of days gone by. The Zinfandel Stompers will provide Dixie-land music from 1 PM to 3 PM.

Portraits of the Past members stroll through the 14-acre site in 1900s costumes. Other activities include free trolley rides. Arts and crafts demonstrations and antique collectibles will be on display. Family and children’s activities will be provided.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Peggy Sue’s Restaurant and get an ice cream at O’Brien’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Also at History Park at Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Road between Keyes and Phelan, docents will guide visitors through many of the 27 historic buildings. The exhibit “Through My Father’s Eyes” will be on display in the Pacific Hotel Gallery. The Leonard and David McKay Gallery will feature “Celebrating Local Artists.”

Admission is free and sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club. Parking is $6. For more information about the event contact Allan Greenberg at allang@pacbell.net or call 408 997 0879.

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About History San José:
History San José is a non-profit organization that collects, preserves and celebrates the stories of diversity and innovation in San José and the Santa Clara Valley. HSJ manages one of the largest and most comprehensive regional history collections in the State of California, from 1784 Spanish governmental records to twenty-first century Silicon Valley technology.
History San José 1650 Senter Road San José, CA 95112 408.287.2290www.historysanjose.org